Magic Slim
Luther Johnson
About Magic Slim
Magic Slim (born Morris Holt in Torrence, Mississippi, in 1937; died February 21, 2013) was a well-known American blues singer and guitarist who led one of the major Chicago blues bands, Magic Slim and The Teardrops, for about 30 years. He first came to the city in 1955 with friend and mentor Magic Sam. The elder Magic (Sam) let the younger magic (Slim) play bass with his band and even gave him his nick-name (the later-imposing Magic Slim was apparently a bit leaner back in the fifties). He became a big, gruff, hat-wearing fellow, whose guitar solos sizzled. Slim's raspy passionate vocals, and screaming, roaring jazz master created a "whirlwind of Chicago blues." (Kevin Toelle, Illinois Entertainer). In 2003 Magic Slim and the Teardrops won the W.C. Handy Award as 'Blues Band Of The Year' for the sixth time. Guitarist John Primer played for him for 13 years. New City says of him, "Magic Slim provides a textbook example of what's missing in most of the rock-tainted contemporary blues of today... This band is unmatched for sheer joy, amazing guitar work without an afterthought, and a raucous good time." Slim and his band, The Teardrops, who the L.A. Weekly described as "house rockers of the magnitude approaching the late Hound Dog Taylor" released Black Tornado (Blind Pig Records). Earlier releases include Spider in My Stew on Wolf Records, and a 1996 Blind Pig release called Scufflin'. Magic Slim was hospitalized in Pennsylvania under treatment for bleeding ulcers complicated by pre-existing issues with his kidneys, his lungs, his weight, and his heart. Magic lost his battle on Feb 20th 2013 after a brave fight. Sadly missed by the blues world and his many fans
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